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Travel Guide - Granma, Cuba

This province takes its name from the yacht, Granma, which landed near its southwestern tip bearing Castro, Che, and their supporters.

The majestic mountains of the Sierra Maestra, main mountain range in Cuba, the intense blue Caribbean Sea and the fertile plains bathed by the Cauto River make of Granma a fan of contrasts. This along with its more than 40 archeological sites, its more than 60 km of explorable caves can caverns and many other aspects of this region made UNESCO declared the Desembarco del Granma National Park a World Cultural Site.

Granma province is known as the cradle of nationality, it holds a rich historical and patrimonial value, evident through traditions as the rides in stage coaches, mainly in Bayamo, the provincial capital.

Among its customs are celebrating the day of the National Culture on October 20, as a way of paying tribute to the first time the hymn was sang in Bayamo.

As to hotels we recommend in Granma Marea del Portillo, as to beaches, you will see the dark colors of its sands. You will discover the enchantments of Cayo Blanco, place with awesome sea bottoms, get into the impressive system of sea terraces or see the natural reserve of El Guafe. The excursions to its mountain ranges are one of the most appealing options. Granma limits to the north with Las Tunas and Holguín; to the west with Guacanayabo Gulf, to the south with the Caribbean Sea and to the east with Santiago de Cuba.

It is the capital of Granma Province. This area was important in the Cuban struggle for freedom and has a wealth of historic places of interest, including the site where Jose Marti was shot, and one of Cuba's greatest national parks, Gran Parque Nacional Sierra Maestra, to the south of Bayamo township.Bayamo has a pleasant and relaxed atmosphere and makes concessions to tourism. The town is centred around Parque Cespedes which is a delightful, shady park containing long marble benches and statues of Carlos Manuel de Cespedes (called nothing less than the Father of the Nation) and Perucho Figueredo. On the north side of the park is the Ayuntamiento, it was in front of this in 1868 that Cespedes proclaimed independence for Cuba.On weekend evenings, the square hosts something resembling a large party, with hundred of Bayamese dressed to the nines, socializing and eating rosquitas, the local sweet made of yuca.

It is an important industrial port for the exportation of sugar. On most nights you will find some form of live musical entertainment taking place. The city is quiet. The most notable architectural features being Moorish in origin in the main square: a riotous gazebo, wedding-cake fountains and sphinx statues, and a casa de la cultura with a tiled courtyard depicting Columbus' landing.

Here is a monument for Cespedes, one of the leaders of the war against the Spanish colonialists at the end of the 19th century.

It’s a perfect place for nature-lovers, for it offers plenty of outdoor activities. Explore the surrounding trails, go spelunking, explore the seabed, visit the Desembarco del Granma (Landing of the Granma) National Park and learn about aboriginal customs.

Marea del Portillo is the most important tourist resort in the Granma province.

Located on the Southeast coast of Cuba, the famous Marea del Portillo Beach is at the foothills of the Sierra Maestra Mountains. This provides a dramatic backdrop to the exotic black sand beach that stretches over 2 km. Not far from Marea on the road to Santiago de Cuba you will come across an amazing view of the highest mountain in Cuba, 2005m Pico Turquino.

Also close to Marea del Portillo lies the Desembarco del Granma (Granma Landing) National Park, which was declared a World's Natural Heritage by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The beautiful El Salto Waterfalls is about two hours from Marea del Portillo.

In addition, just 500 meters away from the beach is Cayo Blanco, a small islet considered an ideal place for romantic people and boasting exceptional sea bottoms.

You can dive to an old Galleon with 36 canyons and their characteristic round balls, as well as other of the ships belonging to the squad of Cervera, the "Christopher Columbus" which still shows a high degree of preservation.

Towards Cabo Cruz, in the Southeast edge of the eastern region, fabulous sceneries open up around the coral reef located here with moose horns corals, sea fan and all sort of fish that you can admire due to the existence of Marea del Portillo diving center.

If you accommodate in any of the hotels of Marea del Portillo, you will be able to discover the charms of Cayo Blanco and its underwater beauties as well as to access to the facilities and services that its marinas offer.